The Dallas Mavericks relieved Nico Harrison of his duties as general manager Tuesday morning, more than nine months removed from his controversial decision to trade Luka Doncic.
Harrison was hired in 2021 after a long tenure as an executive with Nike. After four full seasons in Dallas with two Western Conference Finals and an NBA Finals appearance, his time with the franchise has run out less than a month into the 2025-26 season.
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The Mavericks are elevating assistant general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi to lead basketball operations on an interim basis.
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Could this be the start of a promote-from-within system, or could Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont seek an external hire for the future?
Here are five executives the Mavericks could consider to succeed Harrison:
Dennis Lindsey
An external but familiar target would be Dennis Lindsey, senior vice president of basketball operations for the Detroit Pistons.
Lindsey, who boasts more than 28 years of front office and scouting experience, served as a senior adviser for the Mavericks during the 2023-24 season. NBA insider Marc Stein reports there has already been a push among some of the organization’s influential voices to bring Lindsey back to Dallas.
The Pistons retooled their roster under president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon last season and tripled their win total from the 2023-24 season.
After losing Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley and Dennis Schroder in the offseason, Lindsey was part of a front office that added Caris LeVert, Duncan Robinson and Javonte Green. Early results are showing as Detroit sits atop the Eastern Conference with a 9-2 record.
Bob Myers
Dumont has shown an ability to bring notable NBA executives out of retirement. Take a look at his January hire of Rick Welts to replace Cynt Marshall as CEO. Perhaps he could pursue one of Welts’ former Golden State Warriors colleagues, Bob Myers.
Myers, known as the architect of the Warriors’ dynasty, was recently an analyst at ESPN after stepping down from his role as general manager in 2023. In October, he left ESPN to become president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.
An established relationship with Welts could be beneficial, and he has a successful track record in the front office, leading the Warriors to four championships. He won the NBA’s Executive of the Year award in 2015, following the team’s first title in 40 years.
Myers built the roster through the draft and made a home-run signing with the addition of Kevin Durant, which cemented his status in the franchise’s lore.
Matt Riccardi
The most natural internal transition the Mavericks could make would be with Riccardi, who is well-respected in the organization and has Dumont’s approval. The governor requested Riccardi to step into the public spotlight this year, highlighted by his appearance at the NBA draft lottery in May, where the team learned it won the No. 1 pick and the ability to draft Cooper Flagg.
Riccardi, who grew up in Plano, has been with the Mavericks for four seasons after spending 13 years with the Brooklyn Nets, three of which he served as the general manager of the franchise’s G League team (Long Island Nets) in addition to his role as director of scouting operations.
Masai Ujiri
Another notable external target could be Masai Ujiri, the former vice chairman and president of the Toronto Raptors.
Ujiri, the 2012-13 Executive of the Year, led the Raptors to their first championship in 2019 over Myers’ Warriors. He would be qualified, but it’s unclear if he wants to return to an NBA front office.
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Michael Finley
Finley has been a longstanding member of the Mavericks’ front office since 2012. Now in his 13th season, the Mavericks legend will play a pivotal role in leading the front office alongside Riccardi in the wake of Harrison’s firing.
Finley was Harrison’s assistant general manager and vice president of basketball operations, assisting the former lead decision-maker in every aspect of the job, including preparing for the NBA draft and transactions.
The last time Finley spoke publicly was during the introductory news conference of Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall and former Mavericks guard Quentin Grimes — who Harrison traded to the Philadelphia 76ers last season for Caleb Martin.
X/Twitter: @MikeACurtis2
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